town, south-central Karnataka (formerly Mysore) state, southern India. Lying at an elevation of 3,084 feet (940 metres), the town has a cool, humid climate. It dates from the 12th century and is now a trading centre served by a spur line of the railway from Arsikere to Mysore. The town's industries include several rice mills and engineering and cement works. Hassan has a government college and other colleges affiliated with the University of Mysore. Coffee, cardamom, millet, oilseeds, rice, sugar, and cotton are the chief crops grown in the surrounding area. Pop. (1991) town, 90,803.